U.S. patent application number 16/351697 was filed with the patent office on 2019-09-26 for image forming apparatus and management system.
This patent application is currently assigned to KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc.. Invention is credited to Akira OHASHI, Yusuke OKAZAKI, Satoshi SATO, Yukihiro SHIBATA, Koji TAGAKI, Yuki YAMAMOTO.
Application Number | 20190297199 16/351697 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67845008 |
Filed Date | 2019-09-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190297199 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHIBATA; Yukihiro ; et
al. |
September 26, 2019 |
IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS AND MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Abstract
An image forming apparatus includes a sensor, an operation
section, a controller, and a communication section. The sensor
detects a sensor target. The operation section receives an
operation instruction. The controller adjusts a sensitivity level
of the sensor. The communication section transmits an instruction
signal and a reception signal to an external device and receives an
adjustment instruction from the external device. The instruction
signal indicates an instruction for sensitivity level adjustment
for the sensor. The adjustment instruction is an instruction as to
whether or not to adjust the sensitivity level based on the
instruction signal and the reception signal. The reception signal
includes first information indicating time of detection signal
reception by the controller receives the detection signal within a
specific time period and second information indicating whether the
operation section receives the operation instruction. The
controller adjusts the sensitivity level of the sensor according to
the adjustment instruction.
Inventors: |
SHIBATA; Yukihiro; (Osaka,
JP) ; OHASHI; Akira; (Osaka, JP) ; OKAZAKI;
Yusuke; (Osaka, JP) ; SATO; Satoshi; (Osaka,
JP) ; YAMAMOTO; Yuki; (Osaka, JP) ; TAGAKI;
Koji; (Osaka, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KYOCERA Document Solutions Inc. |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
KYOCERA Document Solutions
Inc.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
67845008 |
Appl. No.: |
16/351697 |
Filed: |
March 13, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 1/00323 20130101;
H04N 1/00405 20130101; H04N 1/0097 20130101; H04N 1/00925 20130101;
H04N 2201/0094 20130101; H04N 1/00344 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 1/00 20060101
H04N001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 22, 2018 |
JP |
2018-054622 |
Claims
1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a sensor configured to
detect a sensor target; an operation section configured to receive
an operation instruction; a controller configured to adjust a
sensitivity level of the sensor; and a communication section
configured to transmit an instruction signal and a reception signal
to an external device and receive an adjustment instruction from
the external device, wherein the instruction signal indicates an
instruction for sensitivity level adjustment for the sensor, the
adjustment instruction is an instruction as to whether or not to
adjust the sensitivity level based on the instruction signal and
the reception signal, the reception signal includes first
information and second information, the first information
indicating time of detection signal reception by the controller
within a specific period, the second information indicating whether
or not the operation section receives the operation instruction,
the detection signal indicates detection of the sensor target by
the sensor, the controller adjusts the sensitivity level of the
sensor according to the adjustment instruction, and the sensitivity
level is a level of sensitivity for the sensor target.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
adjustment of the sensitivity level of the sensor includes
provisional adjustment and final adjustment, the provisional
adjustment being adjustment in which reversion of the sensitivity
level to a value before adjustment is permitted, the final
adjustment being adjustment in which reversion of the sensitivity
level to the value before the adjustment is not permitted.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising a storage section that stores therein values of the
sensitivity level of the sensor, wherein after the controller
adjusts the sensitivity level of the sensor, the controller stores
a value of the sensitivity level after adjustment in the storage
section, and after the controller stores the value of the
sensitivity level after the adjustment in the storage section, the
controller changes the sensitivity level to a value before the
adjustment.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
controller restricts adjustment of the sensitivity level of the
sensor for a specific period after adjustment of the sensitivity
level of the sensor.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
sensor is a motion sensor.
6. An management system comprising an image forming apparatus and a
management server, wherein the image forming apparatus includes: a
sensor configured to detect a sensor target; a first operation
section configured to receive an operation instruction; a first
controller configured to adjust a sensitivity level of the sensor;
and a first communication section configured to transmit an
instruction signal and a reception signal to the management server
and receive an adjustment instruction from the management server,
the instruction signal indicates an instruction for sensitivity
level adjustment for the sensor, the adjustment instruction is an
instruction as to whether or not to adjust the sensitivity level
based on the instruction signal and the reception signal, the
reception signal includes first information and second information,
the first information indicating time of detection signal reception
by the controller within a specific period, the second information
indicating whether or not the operation section receives the
operation instruction, the detection signal indicates detection of
the sensor target by the sensor, the first controller adjusts the
sensitivity level of the sensor according to the adjustment
instruction, the sensitivity level is a level of sensitivity for
the sensor target, and the management server includes: a second
communication section configured to receive the instruction signal
and the reception signal from the image forming apparatus; a second
operation section configured to receive input of the adjustment
instruction in response to the reception signal; and a second
controller configured to control the second communication section
to transmit the adjustment instruction to the first communication
section.
7. The management system according to claim 6, wherein the
management server transmits to the image forming apparatus time
information indicating a period for which adjustment of the
sensitivity level is restricted.
Description
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0001] The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 119 to Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-054622, filed on
Mar. 22, 2018. The contents of this application are incorporated
herein by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus
and a management system.
[0003] Recently, image forming apparatuses have a function to be
set to a power saving state in which for example power sources for
some of devices included therein are turned off (also referred to
below as a sleep operation mode) in order to reduce power
consumption. However, in a situation in which a user uses such an
image forming apparatus in the sleep operation mode, it takes a
waiting time to return the mode of the image forming apparatus from
the sleep operation mode to a normal operation mode through touch
panel input or key input. A technique using a motion sensor as
described below is proposed to reduce the waiting time.
[0004] An image forming apparatus stores a detection state of the
motion sensor for a specific period and a state of a user using the
image forming apparatus and changes sensitivity of the motion
sensor. When the motion sensor is used, a detection error resulting
in reversion to the normal operation mode from the sleep operation
mode may occur due to a person who does not use the image forming
apparatus approaching the image forming apparatus, besides
detection resulting in normal reversion to the normal operation
mode from the sleep operation mode due to a user approaching the
image forming apparatus. A technique to change sensitivity of the
motion sensor is proposed to solve the above problem.
SUMMARY
[0005] An image forming apparatus according to the present
disclosure includes a sensor, an operation section, a controller,
and a communication section. The sensor detects a sensor target.
The operation section receives an operation instruction. The
controller adjusts a sensitivity level of the sensor. The
communication section transmits an instruction signal and a
reception signal to an external device and receives an adjustment
instruction to the external device. The instruction signal
indicates an instruction for sensitivity level adjustment for the
sensor. The adjustment instruction is an instruction as to whether
or not to adjust the sensitivity level based on the instruction
signal and the reception signal. The reception signal indicates
first information and second information. The first information
indicates time of detection signal reception by the controller
within a specific period. The second information indicates whether
or not the operation section receives the operation instruction.
The detection signal indicates detection of the sensor target by
the sensor. The controller adjusts the sensitivity level of the
sensor according to the adjustment instruction. The sensitivity
level is a level of sensitivity for the sensor target.
[0006] An management system according to the present disclosure
includes an image forming apparatus and a management server. The
image forming apparatus includes a sensor, a first operation
section, a first controller, and a first communication section. The
sensor detects a sensor target. The first operation section
receives an operation instruction. The first controller adjusts a
sensitivity level of the sensor. The first communication section
transmits an instruction signal and a reception signal to the
management server and receives an adjustment instruction from the
management server. The instruction signal indicates an instruction
for sensitivity level adjustment for the sensor. The adjustment
instruction is an instruction as to whether or not to adjust the
sensitivity level based on the instruction signal and the reception
signal. The reception signal includes first information and second
information. The first information indicates time of detection
signal reception by the controller within a specific period. The
second information indicates whether or not the operation section
receives the operation instruction. The detection signal indicates
detection of the sensor target by the sensor. The first controller
adjusts the sensitivity level of the sensor according to the
adjustment instruction. The sensitivity level is a level of
sensitivity for the sensor target. The management server includes a
second communication section, a second operation section, and a
second controller. The second communication section receives the
instruction signal and the reception signal from the image forming
apparatus. The second operation section receives input of the
adjustment instruction in response to the reception signal. The
second controller controls the second communication section to
transmit the adjustment instruction to the first communication
section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an
image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a flowchart depicting a portion of a setting
process that a motion sensor undergoes.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a portion of the setting
process that the motion sensor undergoes.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display example in the
image forming apparatus.
[0011] FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams each illustrating a display
example in a management server.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The following describes a management system including an
image forming apparatus and a management server according to an
embodiment of the present disclosure with reference to the
accompanying drawings. It should be noted that elements in the
drawings that are the same or equivalent are labeled using the same
reference signs and description thereof is not repeated.
[0013] Respective configurations of an image forming apparatus 100
and a management server 200 according to the embodiment of the
present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The
image forming apparatus 100 and the management server 200
constitute a management system 300. The image forming apparatus 100
is a multifunction peripheral in the embodiment of the present
disclosure and forms monochrome images.
[0014] The image forming apparatus 100 includes a casing 1, an
operation section 2, a sheet feed section 3, a conveyance section
4, a replenishment section 5, an image forming section 6, an
ejection section 7, a communication section 8, a storage section 9,
a controller 10, a motion sensor 11, and a power source 19.
[0015] The operation section 2 receives an operation instruction.
For example, the operation section 2 receives the operation
instruction to the image forming apparatus 100 from a user. Upon
receiving the operation instruction from the user, the operation
section 2 generates an operation signal indicating a content of the
operation instruction from the user.
[0016] The operation section 2 includes a touch panel 21 and a
plurality of operation keys 22. The touch panel 21 includes a
display and a touch sensor.
[0017] The display displays various screens. The various screens
include a standby screen and a service screen. The standby screen
includes for example a menu button for receiving instructions to
execute various processes. The service screen is for example a
screen for setting change of the image forming apparatus 100. The
display is a liquid-crystal display or an organic
electroluminescent (EL) display, for example.
[0018] The touch sensor detects a touch by a detection target. The
touch sensor outputs a position signal indicating a position where
a touch by the detection target is detected. The detection target
is for example a finger of the user. The touch sensor is for
example a resistive touch sensor.
[0019] The operation keys 22 include for example a numeric keypad,
a start key, and a cancel key.
[0020] The sheet feed section 3 accommodates a plurality of sheets
and feeds the accommodated sheets one at a time.
[0021] The conveyance section 4 conveys the fed sheet to the
ejection section 7.
[0022] The replenishment section 5 replenishes the image forming
section 6 with a consumable. The consumable is toner in the
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0023] The image forming section 6 performs image formation.
Specifically, the image forming section 6 forms an image (toner
image) on the sheet using the consumable. In the embodiment of the
present disclosure, the image forming section 6 includes a light
exposure device, a charger, a photosensitive drum, a development
device, a cleaner, a transfer device, and a fixing device, which
are not illustrated. The image forming section 6 forms images by
electrophotography.
[0024] The ejection section 7 ejects the sheet with the toner image
fixed thereto out of the casing 1 onto an exit tray through a sheet
exit port.
[0025] The communication section 8 is capable of communicating with
an electronic device including a communication device employing the
same communication scheme (protocol) as that employed in the
communication section 8. The communication section 8 in the
embodiment of the present disclosure communicates with the
management server 200 via a network N such as a local area network
(LAN). The communication section 8 is for example a communication
module (communication equipment) such as a LAN board.
[0026] The communication section 8 transmits an instruction signal
and a reception signal to an external device, and receives an
adjustment instruction from the external device. The instruction
signal indicates an instruction for sensitivity level adjustment
for the motion sensor 11. The adjustment instruction is an
instruction as to whether or not to adjust the sensitivity level
based on the instruction signal and the reception signal. The
reception signal includes first information indicating time of
detection signal reception by the controller 10 within a specific
time period and second information indicating whether or not the
operation section 2 receives the operation instruction. The
sensitivity level is a level of sensitivity for a sensor
target.
[0027] The storage section 9 stores therein various data. The
storage section 9 stores therein for example values of the
sensitivity level of the motion sensor 11. The storage section 9
includes a storage device and semiconductor memory. The storage
device includes for example either or both a hard disk drive (HDD)
and a solid state drive (SDD). The semiconductor memory includes
for example random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM).
The storage section 9 stores control programs therein.
[0028] The storage section 9 in the embodiment of the present
disclosure stores therein in advance a flag (advance notification
flag) indicating whether or not to notify an administrator of
setting change. The storage section 9 in the embodiment of the
present disclosure stores the advance notification flag before
shipment of the image forming apparatus 100. However, the advance
notification flag may be stored in the storage section 9 according
to a change instruction from the management server 200 after
shipment.
[0029] The controller 10 adjusts the sensitivity level of the
motion sensor 11. In a situation in which the advance notification
flag of the storage section 9 is on, the controller 10 notifies the
external device of setting change for the motion sensor 11. In a
situation in which the advance notification flag is off, the
controller 10 does not notify the external device of setting change
for the motion sensor 11. The controller 10 includes a processor
such as a central processing unit (CPU). The controller 10 also
includes an integrated circuit for image formation. The integrated
circuit for image formation is constituted by for example an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The controller 10
controls operations of the respective elements of the image forming
apparatus 100 through execution of the control programs.
[0030] The controller 10 performs a setting process that the motion
sensor 11 undergoes. The setting process that the controller 10
performs on the motion sensor 11 will be described later in detail
with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, 5A, and 5B.
[0031] The motion sensor 11 detects a sensor target. For example,
when the motion sensor 11 detects a user approaching or leaving the
image forming apparatus 100, the motion sensor 11 generates a
detection signal indicating detection of the user and transmits the
detection signal to the controller 10. The motion sensor 11 is an
example of a "sensor".
[0032] The power source 19 supplies electric power to at least some
of the elements constituting the image forming apparatus 100. The
image forming apparatus 100 uses a normal operation mode and a
sleep operation mode or a power saving mode. In the normal
operation mode, electric power is supplied to each element
constituting the image forming apparatus 100. In the sleep
operation mode or the power saving mode, electric power is not
supplied to some of the elements. The power source 19 transitions
between the normal operation mode and the sleep operation mode
according to a mode instruction from the controller 10. When the
motion sensor 11 detects a user in a situation in which the power
source 19 is in the sleep operation mode, the controller 10 outputs
to the power source 19 the mode instruction to cause transition
from the sleep operation mode to the normal operation mode, whereby
the power source 19 is returned to the normal operation mode.
[0033] The management server 200 is a device that the administrator
uses and functions as an external device. The management server 200
includes an operation section 202, a communication section 208, a
storage section 209, a controller 210, and a power source 219.
[0034] The communication section 208 is capable of communicating
with an electronic device including a communication section
employing the same communication scheme (protocol) as that employed
in the communication section 208. For example, the communication
section 208 receives the instruction signal and the reception
signal from the image forming apparatus 100.
[0035] The operation section 202 includes a touch panel 221 and a
plurality of operation keys 222. The touch panel 221 includes a
display and a touch sensor. For example, the operation section 202
receives input of the adjustment instruction in response to the
reception signal.
[0036] The storage section 209 stores therein various data. The
storage section 209 includes a storage device and semiconductor
memory.
[0037] The controller 210 includes a processor such as a CPU. For
example, the controller 210 controls the communication section 208
to transmit the adjustment instruction to the communication section
8. The controller 210 controls operations of the respective
elements of the management server 200 through execution of control
programs.
[0038] The power source 219 supplies electric power to the
respective elements constituting the management server 200.
[0039] The following describes the setting process that the motion
sensor 11 undergoes with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, 5A, and 5B.
[0040] FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts each depicting a portion of the
setting process that the motion sensor 11 undergoes. The setting
process that the motion sensor 11 undergoes is a process that the
controller 10 sets the sensitivity level of the motion sensor 11
according to an instruction to set the sensitivity level of the
motion sensor 11. For example, upon the image forming apparatus 100
is turned on, the controller 10 starts the setting process for the
motion sensor 11.
[0041] Step S301: The controller 10 receives the operation signal.
The controller 10 maintains the state in Step S301 until reception
of the operation signal. The instruction signal indicates an
instruction for sensitivity level adjustment for the motion sensor
11. The instruction signal includes a currently set sensitivity
level of the motion sensor 11. When the user presses one of the
operation keys 22 of the operation section 2, the controller 10
causes the display of the touch panel 21 to display a first
notification screen G1 that invites setting change of the motion
sensor 11 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. The first
notification screen G1 will be described later with reference to
FIG. 4. Note that the controller 10 generates the instruction
signal according to user operation on the first notification screen
G1 in the embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the
instruction signal may be generated according to a specific program
in the image forming apparatus 100.
[0042] Upon receiving an operation instruction indicating that
pressing of a button for setting change permission (i.e., a YES
button illustrated in FIG. 4) on the first notification screen G1
is detected, the controller 10 maintains a sensitivity level
changed by the user through the first notification screen G1 as a
sensitivity level under provisional setting. Then, the routine
proceeds to Step S303. The provisional setting is an example of
"provisional adjustment", and is a setting in which reversion of a
current value of the sensitivity level to a value before adjustment
is permitted (i.e., a setting by which change in sensitivity level
is not established). Note that upon receiving an operation
instruction indicating that pressing of a button for setting change
cancelation (i.e., a NO button illustrated in FIG. 4) on the first
notification screen G1 is detected, the controller 10 returns the
value of the changed sensitivity level to a value before displayed
on the first notification screen G1. Then, the routine remains in
Step301.
[0043] Step S303: The controller 10 determines whether or not
notification prior to setting change to the administrator is
necessary. In a situation in which the advance notification flag in
the storage section 9 is on (Yes at Step S303), the routine
proceeds to Step S305. In a situation in which the advance
notification flag in the storage section 9 is off (No at Step
S303), the routine proceeds to Step S311.
[0044] Step S305: The controller 10 notifies the administrator of
the instruction signal. For example, the controller 10 notifies the
management server 200 of the instruction signal via the
communication section 8. Note that the administrator using the
management server 200 may be notified of through an email in a
specific format including a YES button and a NO button.
[0045] Step S307: The controller 210 of the management server 200
determines whether or not to permit the instructed setting change
according to administrator input. Specifically, the communication
section 208 of the management server 200 first receives the
instruction signal and transmits the instruction signal to the
controller 210. The controller 210 then causes the display of the
touch panel 221 to display a second notification screen G2. The
administrator determines whether or not to establish the instructed
setting change of the motion sensor 11, while referencing the
second notification screen G2, and inputs a result of the
determination to the operation section 202. The second notification
screen G2 will be described later with reference to FIG. 5A.
[0046] Upon receiving from the touch panel 221 an operation
instruction indicating that pressing of a button for setting change
permission (i.e., a Yes button illustrated in FIG. 5A) on the
second notification screen G2 is detected (Yes in Step S307), the
controller 210 of the management server 200 transmits the
adjustment instruction to adjust the sensitivity level to the image
forming apparatus 100 via the communication section 208. The
controller 10 maintains the changed sensitivity level. Then, the
routine proceeds to Step S311. Alternatively, when the controller
10 receives from the touch panel 221 an operation instruction
indicating that pressing of a button for setting change cancelation
(i.e., a NO button illustrated in FIG. 5A) is detected (No in Step
S307), the routine proceeds to Step S309.
[0047] Step S309: The controller 210 of the management server 200
notifies the image forming apparatus 100 of non-permission of the
instructed setting change. Specifically, the controller 210
transmits an adjustment instruction not to adjust the sensitivity
level to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication
section 208. The routine proceeds to Step S310.
[0048] Step S310: The controller 10 returns the sensitivity level
to a value initially set at a start. Specifically, the controller
10 returns a value of the sensitivity level changed in Step S301 to
the value of the sensitivity level before the first notification
screen G1 is displayed. Then the routine returns to Step S301.
[0049] Through execution of Step S303 to Step S310, the
provisionally set sensitivity level can be returned to the initial
value. As a result, a situation in which the sensitivity level of
the motion sensor 11 is set too high or too low can be
prevented.
[0050] Step S311: The controller 10 performs setting adjustment on
the motion sensor 11. Specifically, the controller 10 sets the
changed sensitivity level in the motion sensor 11.
[0051] Step S313: The controller 10 monitors a use state of the
motion sensor 11. The controller 10 collects reversion time
information during a unit period Ts in order to monitor the use
state of the image forming apparatus 100. The reversion time
information indicates time of reception by the controller 10 of the
detection signal generated by the motion sensor 11 and time of
reception by the controller 10 of the operation signal generated by
the operation section 2. The unit period Ts is for example 30
minutes and is a time period from a start of the processing in Step
S313 to time at which a specific period elapses. The unit period Ts
is an example of a "specific period". The controller 10 stores the
reversion time information in the storage section 9.
[0052] Step S315: The controller 10 notifies the administrator of
the reception signal. As described with reference to FIG. 1, the
reception signal indicates the first information indicating time of
detection signal reception by the controller 10 within the unit
period Ts and the second information indicating whether or not the
operation section 2 receives the operation instruction.
Specifically, the controller 10 reads out the first information and
the second information from the storage section 9 to generate the
reception signal. The controller 10 then generates a correspondence
table T3 based on the reception signal. The second information
indicates for example whether or not the operation section 2 has
generated the operation signal within a short period of time (e.g.,
10 seconds) after the reception of the detection signal by the
controller 10. The controller 10 transmits the correspondence table
T3 to the management server 200 via the communication section 8 for
notification to the administrator. The routine proceeds to Step
S317 depicted in FIG. 3.
[0053] Step S317: The controller 210 of the management server 200
determines whether or not to permit the instructed setting change
according to administrator input. Specifically, the communication
section 208 of the management server 200 first receives the
correspondence table T3, and then transmits the correspondence
table T3 to the controller 210. The controller 210 then causes the
display of the touch panel 221 to display a third notification
screen G3. The administrator determines whether or not to establish
the instructed setting change of the motion sensor 11, while
referencing the third notification screen G3, and inputs a result
of the determination to the operation section 202. The third
notification screen G3 will be described later with reference to
FIG. 5B.
[0054] Upon receiving from the touch panel 221 an operation
instruction indicating that pressing of a button for setting change
permission (i.e., a Yes button illustrated in FIG. 5B) on the third
notification screen G3 is detected (Yes in Step S317), the
controller 210 of the management server 200 transmits the
adjustment instruction to adjust the sensitivity level to the image
forming apparatus 100 via the communication section 208. The
controller 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 maintains the
changed sensitivity level. The routine then proceeds to Step S319.
Alternatively, when the controller 10 receives from the touch panel
221 an operation instruction indicating that pressing of a button
for setting change cancellation (i.e., a NO button illustrated in
FIG. 5B) is detected (No in Step S317), the routine proceeds to
Step S321.
[0055] Step S319: The controller 10 sets a period within which the
instructed setting change for the motion sensor 11 is permitted.
Since the adjustment instruction to adjust the sensitivity level is
received in Step S317, the current value of the sensitivity level
set in the motion sensor 11 is determined as a value of the
sensitivity level under final setting. The final setting is an
example of "final adjustment" and is setting through which
reversion of the current value of the sensitivity level to a value
before adjustment is not permitted (i.e., change of the sensitivity
level is established). In the embodiment of the present disclosure,
change of the sensitivity level of the motion sensor 11 is
restricted until a preset period (period during which adjustment of
the sensitivity level is restricted) elapses. The preset period is
for example 6 hours. Through execution of Step S311 to Step S319,
excessive setting change can be inhibited.
[0056] Note that the period within which setting change is
permitted is preset prior to execution of Step S319 in the
embodiment of the present disclosure. However, the controller 210
of the management server 200 may transmit time information
indicating the period within which adjustment of the sensitivity
level is restricted to the image forming apparatus 100 via the
communication section 208 in addition to the adjustment instruction
in Step S317.
[0057] Step S321: The controller 210 of the management server 200
notifies the image forming apparatus 10) of non-permission of the
instructed setting change. Specifically, the controller 210
transmits the adjustment instruction not to adjust the sensitivity
level to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication
section 208. The routine proceeds to Step S323.
[0058] Step S323: The controller 10 returns setting of the
sensitivity level to the value initially set at the start.
Specifically, the controller 10 returns the current value of the
sensitivity level that has been changed in Step S301 to the value
of the sensitivity level before the first notification screen G1 is
displayed. Then the routine returns to Step S301.
[0059] Step S325: Until a specific period (e.g., a preset time
period) elapses, the controller 10 refuses to receive a user
instruction for setting change for the motion sensor 11. After the
preset period elapses, the routine returns to Step S301. Through
execution of Step S301 to Step S325, the administrator can monitor
an operating state of the motion sensor 11 of the image forming
apparatus 100. Furthermore, the administrator can determine whether
or not to establish the instructed setting change of the motion
sensor 11, while taking account of balance between user convenience
and power consumption.
[0060] The following describes a display example (first
notification screen G1) in the image forming apparatus 100 with
reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the display
example in the image forming apparatus 100. The controller 10 of
the image forming apparatus 100 causes the display of the touch
panel 21 to display the first notification screen G1.
[0061] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first notification screen G1
includes a level meter indicating a currently set sensitivity level
and four buttons relating to setting change for the motion sensor
11. The four buttons are a YES button B1, a NO button C, a DOWN
button D1, and an UP button E1. The touch panel 21 detects pressing
by the detection target at a location where any of the buttons are
displayed, and transmits an operation instruction to the controller
10. Upon receiving an operation instruction according to detection
of pressing of the DOWN button D1, the controller 10 decreases the
sensitivity level of the motion sensor 11 and changes a level
displayed at the level meter. Similarly, upon receiving an
operation instruction according to detection of pressing of the UP
button E1, the controller 10 increases the sensitivity level of the
motion sensor 11 and changes the level displayed at the level
meter.
[0062] For example, when the YES button B1 is pressed in Step S301
depicted in FIG. 2 in execution of setting change for the motion
sensor 11, the routine proceeds to Step S303. When the NO button C1
is pressed in Step S301, the routine remains in Step S301.
[0063] The following describes display examples (second
notification screen G2 and third notification screen G3) in the
management server 200 with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIGS. 5A
and 5B are diagrams illustrating the display examples in the
management server 200. The controller 210 of the management server
200 causes the display of the touch panel 221 to display the second
notification screen G2. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the second
notification screen G2 includes an area exhibiting "Image forming
apparatus No. X", an area indicating "Setting change approval is
requested", an area indicating "Currently set sensitivity level Y",
and two buttons relating to setting change for the motion sensor
11. The two buttons are a YES button B2 and a NO button C2. The
letter X in "Image forming apparatus No. X" represents a number for
identifying the image forming apparatus 100 in which setting change
has been done. The letter Y in "Currently set sensitivity level Y"
represents a value indicating a currently set sensitivity
level.
[0064] For example, when the YES button B2 is pressed in Step S307
depicted in FIG. 2 in execution of setting change for the motion
sensor 11, the controller 210 of the management server 200
transmits the adjustment instruction to adjust the sensitivity
level to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication
section 208. The controller 10 of the image forming apparatus 100
maintains the changed sensitivity level. The routine then proceeds
to Step S311. When the NO button C2 is pressed in Step S307, the
routine proceeds to Step S309.
[0065] The controller 210 of the management server 200 causes the
display of the touch panel 221 to display the third notification
screen G3. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the third notification screen
G3 includes an area indicating "Image forming apparatus No. X", an
area indicating "Currently set sensitivity level Y", the
correspondence table T3, and two buttons relating to setting change
for the motion sensor 11. The two buttons are a YES button B3 and a
NO button C3. The letter X in "Image forming apparatus No. X"
represents a number for identifying the image forming apparatus 100
for which setting change has been done. The letter Y in "Currently
set sensitivity level Y" represents a value indicating a currently
set sensitivity level. In the correspondence table T3, the first
information indicating time of detection signal reception by the
controller 10 and the second information indicating the presence or
absence of the operation signal within a short period (e.g., 10
seconds) from the time of the reception are recorded.
[0066] The following describes the content of the correspondence
table T3. For example, the first detection time is 00:00:01 and the
operation signal is "Present". The second detection time is
00:01:45 and the operation signal is "Absent". The above is an
example of a situation in which a person who approached the image
forming apparatus 100 at a time point of 00:00:01 carried out some
operation on the image forming apparatus 100 and left the image
forming apparatus 100 at a time point 00:01:45. The fifth detection
time is 00:13:33 and the operation signal is "Absent". The above is
an example of a situation in which a person passed in front of the
image forming apparatus 100 without carrying out any operation on
the image forming apparatus 100. As illustrated in FIG. 5B, the
controller 10 receives the detection signal eight times within 30
minutes from the time 00:00:00 and receives the operation signal
four times. The administrator determines whether or not to
establish setting change of the motion sensor 11, while referencing
the correspondence table T3.
[0067] For example, when the YES button B3 is pressed in Step S317
depicted in FIG. 3 in execution of setting change for the motion
sensor 11, the controller 210 of the management server 200
transmits the adjustment instruction to adjust the sensitivity
level to the image forming apparatus 100 via the communication
section 208. The controller 10 of the image forming apparatus 100
maintains the changed sensitivity level. The routine then proceeds
to Step S319. When the NO button C3 is pressed in Step S317, the
routine proceeds to Step S321.
[0068] The image forming apparatus 100 and the management system
300 have been described so far with reference to the drawings (FIG.
1 to 5B). However, the present disclosure is not limited to the
above-described embodiment and can be practiced in various ways
within the scope not departing from the gist of the present
disclosure. Configurations and numerical values described in the
above embodiment are exemplary only and not particularly limited.
The configurations and numerical values can be changed within a
scope not substantially departing from the effects of the present
disclosure.
[0069] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure is
described using an example where the image forming apparatus 100 is
a multifunction peripheral, the image forming apparatus 100 may for
example be a copier or a printer.
[0070] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure is
described using an example where the present disclosure is applied
to the monochrome image forming apparatus 100, the present
disclosure is applicable to for example a color image forming
apparatus.
[0071] Although the embodiment of the present disclosure is
described using an example where the present disclosure is applied
to the electrographic image forming apparatus 100, the present
disclosure is applicable to for example an inkjet image forming
apparatus.
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